Moffat: Adding another dimension to hospital and care home catering
With over 50 years specialising in hospital catering equipment, British manufacturer Moffat has established and developed its innovative approach to the industry. As a result, it now provides a range of market leading hospital catering equipment, from Grab & Go merchandisers and regeneration trolleys, to bespoke ward kitchen and restaurant counters, to mobile servery solutions. With adaptability key in hospital and care catering, Moffat’s new Vgen foodservice trolley is manufactured with maximum multi-functionality in mind. It is compatible with cook-serve, cook-chill and cook-freeze systems. Stand-out features include a multi-zone oven that can hold different foods at different temperatures in one cabinet. Typical of the trolley’s energy saving features is the fact that individual heated zones can be switched off if not required. Meanwhile the refrigeration units combine finless condenser technology, the latest high-performance insulation and eco-friendly, thermally efficient R290 refrigerant. Together they reduce energy consumption and running costs while minimising maintenance requirements. Download the hospital brochure from www.ermoffat.co.uk for more information. E & R Moffat is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of quality foodservice equipment, designing and manufacturing in-house. Based in Bonnybridge, Scotland, the company manufactures standard and bespoke servery, regeneration and storage equipment and runs a full nationwide after-sales service team. E & R Moffat is accredited to ISO 9001:2008. For more information on E & R Moffat visit the website on www.ermoffat.co.uk
Combatting Loneliness with Home Care Companionship Services
Combatting Loneliness with Home Care Companionship Services10 Top Tips for Engaging with Clients At Homeby Gillian Hesketh, MD Happy Days Dementia Workshop & Nostalgic Design. Gillian Hesketh is MD of Happy Days Dementia Workshop & Nostalgic Design. Besides designing bespoke engagement prompts and nostalgic environments, she has spent much time in care homes and hospitals, with nurses and carers, sharing ways to help care teams enrich social care for well-being. Loneliness can affect anyone in our communities. We’re recognising more than ever, that some elderly people may be experiencing too many lonely days. The Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness states ‘one in three people aged 75 and over say feelings of loneliness are out of their control.’ For elderly people who have developed a medical condition which may limit mobility, or who are living with dementia, loneliness can impact on their overall well- being. It’s wonderful to see that many home-care companies are now providing companionship sessions for people in their own homes. To help carers enrich social care, Gillian Hesketh of Happy Days Dementia Workshop & Design has developed a range of life story response tools, traditional games with conversation prompts, and collated a collection of nostalgic games to encourage meaningful conversations and enhance everyday living. For Home Care Service Providers, Gillian recommends that creating a collection of reminiscence materials, nostalgic games, large piece jigsaw puzzles, colouring cards and conversation prompts at your office or base can encourage carers to use the materials to engage with clients more easily and effectively. Most Happy Days resources are wipe clean for infection control. Engagement materials can bring about conversations, encourage activity, movement, maintain skills and uplift mood. Here are Gillian’s Ten Top Pointers to help care providers engage with clients: 1.Work at eye level – Gain the person’s trust – SmileConsider that you will be ‘a good friend’ to the person you are caring for. 2.Find out about the individual – get to know the person’s life story: interests, likes and dislikes too. Try Happy Days ‘My Personal Memory Jogger’ to add information, stories and photos to share and enjoy during future companionship sessions. 3.Make a list of current topics the person is interested in. Read newspaper or magazine articles, books or poems to or with the person. 4.Together, create a list of the person’s favourite hobbies and pastimes – ask for family input. What pastimes might the person enjoy now? Use this information to plan social activities for future sessions. [Games – Sewing – Television – Music – Playing a musical instrument – Gardening – Baking – Painting – Chatting – Jigsaw Puzzles – School Reunion internet sites]. 5.Adjust activities and games to suit the person – Simplify rules – Limit the time span if necessary. Some people may just want to stack dominoes, buttons or jigsaw pieces. Activity doesn’t need to be complicated or competitive. 6.Engage in everyday tasks: Preparing fruit or vegetables – Dusting – Making up a planter. Tidy a cupboard, cd collection or fix boxed games together – Sorting can be therapeutic, calming and satisfying. 7.Look at the person’s photographs together. Create a mini photo album of ‘action’ photographs or add names to the back of the photos. ‘Doing something’ in a photograph may help a person with dementia to remember the event more easily than the image of a face only 8.Colouring can be rewarding and relaxing. It’s important to find scenes that the person would enjoy. Happy Days has designed Around the 1950s/60s Colouring Cards to prompt memories and help people reminisce. 9.Just talking is an activity. It’s not necessary to win games or complete tasks – the act of engaging is often enough to prompt meaningful conversations. 10.Reminiscing is a wonderful way to prompt memories and bring about stories to share. Create a personal memory box with the person you are caring for – or choose a themed Reminiscence Box from Happy Days Dementia Workshop. Themes include nostalgic artefacts and games, memorabilia, postcards and photographs. See online shop. If the person tires, end the activity – Offer a drink and soothing conversation. For more information, contact Gillian Hesketh – gillian@dementiaworkshop.co.uk or shop online at www.dementiaworkshop.co.uk Home Care Companionship10 Tips© by Gillian Hesketh 24.02.2019
Maidstone care home ‘rocks against dementia’ with music festival
Ashley Gardens Care Centre in Maidstone has hosted a music festival to help raise awareness of dementia and to encourage support for those living with the condition. The home has partnered with Purple Angel Dementia Project, an organisation that strives to offer a better standard of life for people living with dementia, through music. Purple Angel has hosted ‘World Rocks against Dementia’, asking people around the world to hold any kind of music events to join together in spreading awareness. Ashley Gardens supported the campaign with their own music festival on Friday March 22nd. A variety of local performers took to the stage, as well as one of Ashley Garden’s talented staff members. Residents and visitors were entertained by talented acts including the Kettle Bridge Concertinas, The Singing Barber, The Tragic Mushrooms and staff nurse James who played his guitar. Staff from the home also took part in the event, serving guests food and drink and handing out fun festival props such as glow-sticks! The team were also joined by residents, staff and visitors from five other local care homes. Home Manager Jo Mazza said, “Music is a big part of life at Ashley Homes and our music festival was a great way to celebrate this. “We recently partnered with Purple Angel Music, bringing their music devices into the home to help our residents who live with dementia, connect to happy memories from their past. We see such utter happiness in their faces when they hear their favourite music so we know just how important it is to include music in every day life at our home. “I hope that our visitors enjoyed the day as much as our residents and staff and that we helped to raise further awareness of dementia and how we can help support those who face its challenges every day.” Ashley Gardens Care Centre is part of the Healthcare Homes Group and is based on Sutton Road in Maidstone. It provides residential and nursing care for up to 89 people.For more information on the music festival and the range of services provided, visit www.healthcarehomes.co.uk or call 01622 761 310.
Meltemi Company Clothing
Wearing appropriate clothing in the workplace is particularly important when it comes to Residential Care Homes. It sounds obvious, but ensuring that your staff are comfortable, look smart and are easily identifiable is as important for your staff as it is for your residents. All healthcare garments should be able to withstand industrial washing for infection control purposes and incorporate special features for wearer comfort and flexibility such as action back pleats. You may also want to consider specifying a fabric such as Flexi Stretch which has more ‘give’ than some more rigid fabrics. Lightweight tunic fabric options which are cooler are typically around 140gsm whereas standard fabric weights are 195gsm to 220gsm, so it’s worth considering this when choosing tunics and dresses for your staff. It’s also worth checking that the fabrics used have been independently tested to ensure that they meet the rigours of the role and can withstand a minimum of 2 years normal wear. Meltemi are specialists with over 30 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of uniforms for healthcare and administration. We are a key provider to the NHS, Residential Care Homes and the Private Healthcare sector. We offer a great selection of healthcare tunic designs and styles from stock. We offer a sampling service so that you and your team can review the quality, colours and styles of garments and a comprehensive logo embroidery service to increase identity. Meltemi is a full member of the ETI (Ethical Trading Initiative) and has been audited to meet the demands of the NHS for ethical trading throughout our supply chain. Find out more
Preparing to Sell?
Selling a care business is a complex process, requiring assistance from various care industry professionals along the way. For due diligence, it would be prudent to appoint a solicitor specialising solely in healthcare as they can ensure the smooth progression of a sale. Due diligence involves potential purchasers looking at your business in detail, examining everything from accounts to rotas and leases. To simplify the process ensure your accounts are up to date and in order, beforeinstructing an agent. Any preparation through addressing the following key areas will reap benefits. Upgrade or refresh your facilities. Ensure you’re on the best possible energy tariff and consider solar power or LED lighting. Prepare historical data showing trends in occupancy levels, fees and rates. If you are an ownermanager do you have a qualified management team to replace you? Strong relationships with key referrers such as Local Authorities and GP practices can help maintain occupancy levels. Does your business outperform other local providers? If not, identify and improve those areas that fall short. Valuations look at the maintainable earnings rather than ‘price per bed’. Do your accounts make it easy to establish this? If there are any risks, the purchaser may require an indemnity, to cover their costs in resolving a problem. By identifying and resolving risks and concerns, before the sale proceeds, you can confidently give warranties, have control over resolving problems and limit indemnities. Find out more
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust recruitment drive
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust is on a recruitment drive to attract more mental health nurses to work across Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT), which provides mental health, learning disability and community health services for one million people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is looking to recruit more mental health nurses. According to statistics from the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the number of mental health nurses fell from 90,693 to 88,821 between 2014 and 2018[i]. LPT is addressing the shortage across Leicestershire by promoting the region as a leading career destination for mental health nurses, highlighting the many opportunities available. There are vacancies for experienced mental health nurses, including Bank Community Psychiatric Nurse-Band 6 positions which involve working as part of the secondary care services team, providing assessments and treatment packages for a range of service users aged 16-65 years with complex mental health needs. Other opportunities include Band 5 Bank Mental Health/Learning Disabilities staff nurses, ideal for mental health nurses looking for a change of area or more flexibility to better manage their work life balance and a Band 6 Mental Health Practitioner to join the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team at the Bradgate Mental Health Unit at Glenfield Hospital. Joanne Lock is a Ward Matron at the Bradgate Mental Health Unit, part of Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. She works on an acute ward for women aged 18-65 years and is responsible for the operational and clinical running of the ward and manages a team of 30 staff. The ward is a short-term acute ward, where women with conditions such as paranoid schizophrenia, bipolar and severe depression or severe anxiety will be admitted for around 30 days. Joanne has been a mental health nurse for 16 years and loves her job. She says, “My role is hugely varied, no two days are the same. I love the patient contact and building up a relationship with them and their families to support them to get better. We work with some of the most vulnerable people in society and one of the most rewarding things for me is seeing patients progress and go home. Joanne highlights there are great opportunities for career development and training at the Trust. She says, “The Trust invests a lot into training. As well as mandatory courses, staff can choose courses to progress their careers. I’ve been on several leadership courses, and we’re currently supporting a member of staff to do her degree. We have good links with the universities, so this is a good place to start your career.” “We are currently in the second year of a five year all-age transformation of mental health and learning disability services, working with staff, service users and carers to improve experience within all our care pathways, including innovative new developments such as social prescribing to peer supporters. It is a great time to join and be a part of shaping our future.” The Trust also supports the health and wellbeing of staff. Joanne says, “Mental health nursing is a highly pressurised and challenging role, but the Trust promotes health and wellbeing. There are part-time and flexible roles and the Trust is a strong advocate of achieving a good work life balance, which helps with recruitment and retention. There are yoga session and Zumba classes available and health and wellbeing baskets are sent to staff regularly, which include snacks and drinks such as popcorn, health bars and healthy tea. This is a nice touch and makes staff feel valued.” Joanne is originally from Nottingham and trained there but has been in Leicester for 13 years now. She says, “I love living in Leicester. It’s a wonderfully vibrant and culturally diverse area, with easy access to the rest of the UK. It’s also the tenth largest city in the UK. Housing is affordable, which enables nurses to get on the housing ladder, plus it’s surrounded by beautiful countryside. Leicester City is also renowned now for its sporting achievements, especially winning the football League in 2015/16, which was an amazing time to be in the city”. LPT is part of a recently launched recruitment campaign Y/Our Future that unites five major health and social care employers – University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, LOROS Hospice, Rutland County Council and Leicester City Council – to recruit doctors, nurses and health and social care workers to work in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Y/Our Future aims to promote Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland as a leading career destination for health and social care professionals, with great career and lifestyle opportunities. For more information on the vacancies visit: https://www.your-future.co.uk/
Ultimate Underfoot Comfort
Cosyfeet’s new Mambo shoe for swollen feet is designed to provide supreme underfoot comfort. Its shock-absorbing Cushion Active™ footbed softens every step, effectively protecting knee and ankle joints as well as vulnerable feet. Made with a 6E width fitting as standard, this stylish, contemporary shoe has a super-flexible, lightweight sole that moves with the foot for maximum comfort. A cushioned lining provides a luxurious feel and a removable footbed allows for extra depth, or to accommodate bespoke orthotics if needed. The Mambo comes with two fastening systems. A lace fastening allows the shoes to be adjusted for a perfect fit and a handy zip fastening means they can be slipped on and off in seconds. This shoe also has a deep, seam-free toe area that provides plenty of room for sensitive toes. This ultra-comfy style meets the stringent criteria of the Healthy Footwear Guide, which champions the importance of wearing healthy, comfortable footwear. In tests by the University of Central Lancashire, Cosyfeet’s ‘Cushion Active™ Underfoot Comfort System’ was shown to deliver between 23% and 25% less impact shock to the lower leg than a selection of leading brand trainers. Made with soft, premium leathers, the Mambo is available in sizes 4 to 9 including half sizes. It comes in a choice of Soft Blue Floral, Blush Floral, Dark Teal and Stone, retailing at £79.00 (or £65.83 if the wearer qualifies for VAT relief due to a chronic medical condition). For more information visit www.cosyfeet.com or call 01458 447275. There’s Wide Fitting and then there’s Cosyfeet! Specially designed to fit and flatter extra wide and swollen feet, Cosyfeet footwear is wider, deeper and roomier than the wide fitting footwear you’ll find on the high street. Cosyfeet is a small, caring company with 36 years’ experience of fitting swollen feet and legs. Over 11,000 health care professionals recommend Cosyfeet footwear to their patients. Cosyfeet is a member of the Healthy Footwear Guide and offers a No Quibble Money Back Guarantee and free UK returns, so that customers can order with confidence.
Great Oaks head chef announced finalist of South West Regional Cook-Offs
Patrick Fensterseifer, head chef of Great Oaks care home in Bournemouth, is celebrating being named a finalist of the South West Regional Cook-Offs in the NACC Care Chef of the Year competition. This prestigious culinary competition is open to all chefs working in the care sector and is designed to showcase the talent, innovation, skills and knowledge of nutrition and dietary requirements of each contestant. Entrants were given the challenge at the regional finals to create a new menu which was within the strict budget set and also had to meet specific nutritional and dietary needs. Patrick chose to make chicken roulade with sage and onion stuffing due to the dish’s high content of protein, fibre and nutrients which would benefit care home residents. He then prepared a black forest trifle for dessert which has a soft consistency and is suitable for most types of diets, including those who require a softer option due to chewing and swallowing difficulties. The trifle was then topped with shaved dark chocolate which contains antioxidants and is known for its health benefits including reducing resistance to insulin. Participating chefs had just 90 minutes to produce their meals which were judged on their nutritional value, health benefits, culinary flair, menu balance, execution and presentation. Patrick said: “I am so proud to have made it to the final of the south west regionals, I am very passionate about creating dishes which are not only pleasing to the eye, but also taste delicious and aid the health and wellbeing of our residents. “It is a great honour to have made it to the finals and I am glad that my culinary skills have been recognised in this way. Through this experience I have learnt some new tips along the way and I am looking forward to sharing these with my team at Great Oaks.” Great Oaks is the latest addition of an established family of care homes managed by Encore Care Homes, with two other care homes in Dorset and Hampshire. The 80-bed care home is fitted with state-of-the-art facilities, designed to enable staff to provide the highest standard of 24 hour, personalised care and ensure residents are comfortable and happy in their surroundings. Please visit www.greatoaksbournemouth.co.uk for more information or call 01202 087444.
Specialist Neurological Rehabilitation Service in Oxfordshire rated Outstanding by the CQC
A neurological rehabilitation centre in Oxfordshire has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Orchard House, which opened in 2014 and is run by Christchurch Group, provides specialist community-based transitional rehabilitation in the village of Harwell in Oxfordshire. It supports adults with neurological conditions resulting from injury, illness or disease. The service offers accommodation for 9 residents and is a Headway Approved Provider. Inspectors praised the service for its exceptional care, its strong, values-led leadership and their person-centered approach displayed by the registered manager and staff, which provided clear therapeutic benefits for patients. The CQC also highlighted how the registered manager had ‘continually thought of initiatives to make improvements to enhance people’s lives and those of the staff.’ Alexandra Costa, Christchurch Group’s Registered Home Manager, commented: “We strive to ensure those we support are at the heart of life here at Orchard House and to create a friendly, welcoming environment, so I’m enormously proud to see that recognised. “Great credit must go to our fantastic team, including care, therapy, governance and support staff, who enable our patients to achieve positive outcomes. Without their diligence and genuinely caring approach this would not have been achieved.” As part of the inspection, a number of patients, staff and relatives were spoken to and encouraged to provide feedback on the support they received at the Harwell centre. One individual commented: “I feel I am safe and in a good place. I have been moved from home to home for a number of years. The people and staff are like a second family. I love it here.” A relative added: “I am absolutely amazed at the care my daughter receives. The staff are really good, they’re always there, anything you want you get.” Richard McKenzie, Christchurch Group’s Chief Executive Officer, added: “I am delighted that Orchard House has been awarded ‘Outstanding’ status. We are proud to deliver life-changing, evidence-based outcomes for adults with neurological conditions. “An ‘Outstanding’ CQC is testament to the hard work and dedication that the staff at Orchard House have put in over the past 12 months. We are passionate about providing high quality, person-centred care, so to find out this has been recognised through a formal inspection is very rewarding.” Christchurch Group was established in 1998 to provide high quality brain injury rehabilitation within a community setting. The organisation has since grown into a leading provider of specialist neurological rehabilitation that offers a range of specialist services across eight centres in York, Lincoln, Birmingham, Northampton, Bedford and Harwell in Oxfordshire.
